Campus Master Plan

The campus master plan for UNCSA is a transformational roadmap for adapting our living and learning environment to improve wayfinding and sense of place, unify the architectural language of the campus, and accommodate the growing needs of our vibrant creative community. The plan was developed by world-renowned architectural firm Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA) in collaboration with DLR Group of Charlotte along with input from faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and stakeholders.

RAMSA has partnered with scores of colleges and universities from across the nation and the globe to build the future of their campuses. UNCSA’s work with RAMSA began with their concept master plan for the Stevens Center, which insightfully recognized the value of connecting that space more creatively and functionally with the main campus for both the school and the community. Their thoughtful discovery of UNCSA confirmed it would be a natural extension of their project to continue their visioning to the main campus.

Click through below to learn more about the Campus Master Plan:

Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA) was selected by a committee in early 2017 with the charge to envision UNCSA’s future and to establish a framework upon which the campus can build for years to come.

The campus as it exists today. It has been described as being “a collection of buildings apparently scattered haphazardly around the grounds.”

In analyzing the site it was determined that there are recognizable grids around the edges stitching many of the buildings together, and a series of object buildings floating within this framework.

Among and between these buildings are a series of wonderful outdoor spaces and also those spaces which have tremendous potential to add to the campus fabric.

Similarly there exist three distinct spines running north to south that have the potential to link spaces and buildings together in a dynamic, attractive way.

Finally there exist a number of visual axes that lead to uninspiring places. These axes should be terminated on strong, iconic open spaces such as quadrangles, or on buildings that can be added over time.

Aerial sketch of the campus as it is today.

The Master Plan vision of the UNCSA campus in the future. The principles that shape the plan are taken from existing campus cues and sound planning principles.

This is a diagram of the final Master Plan document. As with all master plans this will evolve over time as priorities change. The plan should be a changeable, living document.

The plan respects and enhances the exiting campus grids defining the edges of the campus and proposes minimal new construction within the core.

Axes, or view corridors and circulation routes, many of which led to nowhere, are terminated by new outdoor quadrangles, new buildings, or existing facilities having undergone additions and alterations.

What becomes the heart of the campus, the center about which students, faculty, staff and patrons interact, will be the “main quad,” here called the “Not-a-Quad” due to its amorphous shape and undulating topography.

One of the strong north-south pedestrian spines is further reinforced with architecture, landscaping and trees, and outdoor sculpture and art.

The new and renovated buildings defining the Arts Walk are transparent. They let light in, provide views out, and showcase the work we do.

A second spine, known as Kudzu Valley, is transformed through simple interventions and landscaping to become an integral component of the city’s Strollway system.

These strollways will link the campus directly to downtown through a series of walkways and parks.

What can be perceived as unwelcoming barriers into the campus are removed allowing access to the Arts Walk spine with walkways.

Current campus housing provides 525 beds across three Residence Hall communities.

The Master Plan calls for the demolition of Bailey Street Apartments and Lower Housing. Keeping Center Stage, UNCSA’s projected need for replacement beds is between 550 and 650.

A Residence Hall Study revealed that the Bailey Street Apartment site was the preferred location for new residence halls.

Following completion, the Bailey beds are transferred to the new building and Bailey Street Apartments are demolished in Phase 2.

Phase 3 completes the Residence Hall project. The University’s projected on-campus needs are met in the new facilities

Phase 4 begins with the demolition of Residence Halls A-F making way for a new academic building to serve the needs of students, faculty, and staff.

This is a conceptual idea of a typical double-occupancy room layout. The plan allows for social space, kitchens, practice rooms, and semi-private bathrooms.

In architectural terms “vignette” means a quick drawing that clearly and succinctly expresses the characteristics of a design. They are intended to be loose sketches indicating the flavor of a design proposal without adding layers of detail. This Master Plan provides vignettes from six vantage points.

This aerial view shows Bailey Street Apartments in the foreground and Lower Housing in the far right. The Master Plan proposes to replace Bailey Street Apartments with new housing for 550 – 650 or more students.

The proposed new housing will offer a range of unit types. This conceptual plan illustrates the location, size, and massing of the residence halls. The building located on the Lower Housing site is the proposed academic and performance building.

This view shows Lower Housing with the Welcome Center just visible in the lower left. The site slopes significantly and has a very prominent position within the campus. When Phase III of the Residence Hall project is complete all on-campus students will be housed in the new facilities.

Lower Housing will be demolished in Phase IV and its prominent location will be the site for a new signature academic facility for classrooms, studios, and a large performance space. This conceptual view reveals how this academic building works in conjunction with the Welcome Center to create a vibrant gateway into campus.

The School of Filmmaking begins to establish a possible quadrangle in the location currently used as a parking lot. As the School expands a new facility will be properly sited to complete the edges of the pedestrian quadrangle.

This illustrates the location for a new Film building. By carefully locating the new building the plan also establishes what will become a green and pedestrian-friendly campus quadrangle.

Chapel Street is also a public face for the campus. There are opportunities to establish a welcoming presence that will serve to identify the campus and also reinforce the sense of place on this historic residential street. The Master Plan identifies graceful facilities properly scaled to the neighborhood.

The proposed plan for Chapel Street is illustrated here. Smaller scale, handsome buildings are located to establish a public quadrangle facing the street. This could serve as a drop-off to the campus and it would forge strong ties back to the community.

The School of Music and the High School residence halls both have opportunity for growth. This view, which shows the Connector Building between Moore and Sanford Halls, begins to suggest another opportunity to create a welcoming, active outdoor living and learning space.

The Master Plan adds an additional residence hall to the Moore and Sanford complex, creating a dynamic student quadrangle. The Music School gains an additional facility which is located within the quadrangle. This building is properly scaled to its site and would be a dramatic centerpiece for the quadrangle.

The Waughtown Street entrance at the south end of campus is very active yet it lacks presence and identity.

Two new buildings are proposed at the Waughtown Street entrance. They have an industrial loft quality to them and serve as a dramatic gateway into campus. The facility on the right is envisioned as expansion for Design and Production, while the facility on the left may serve other academic or administrative purposes.

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